Doctors blamed for mishandling Lyme disease

BRIDGEWATER — A doctor who is no longer licensed to practise medicine says
the medical community is the biggest barrier in the fight against Lyme
disease.

“The biggest problem in Canada is the fear factor in the medical profession,”
said Dr. Ernie Murakami, founder of the Centre for Lyme Research, Education
& Assistance Society.

“I apologize on behalf of the medical profession. We are at fault. We cannot
sit down and discuss Lyme disease treatment.”

Murakami holds a degree in bacteriology and immunology and is clinical
associate professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia. He gave
three presentations in Nova Scotia this past week on the disease, none of which
the provincial government sanctioned.

Indeed, Murakami said the only province that has ever given him the time of
day is Manitoba.

Family doctors can’t have open discussions about the diagnosis and treatment
of Lyme disease for fear of retribution from the medical establishment, he said.